Orange Lutheran High alumnus is man for all seasons

Orange Lutheran High alum Austin Pettis (7) is entering his fourth year in the National Football League. From Orange Lutheran, Pettis went to Boise State, where he set a number of records for a wide receiver. His foundation, The Austin Pettis Foundation, is in its third year of existence. FILE PHOTO

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“A lot of people took care of me when I was younger, and I want to try and do as much as I can to do the same.”

Tumultuous is what you call this time of year for National Football League players in Austin Pettis' situation.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Pettis' future with the St. Louis Rams is uncertain. He was not drafted by the current regime in Missouri, and the organization added two receivers to its roster last April by way of the draft.

Pettis, the pride of Orange Lutheran High, has proven to be a valuable commodity on the field, though, with offensive numbers that have steadily increased since his inaugural campaign in 2011. Last season, Pettis had 38 receptions for 399 yards and four touchdowns.

The writing appears to be on the wall, however, and barring a breakout fourth year in the league, Pettis will likely become an unrestricted free agent after the 2014 season.

“You just tell your son to work hard and always be ready,” said Julie Pettis, Austin's mother. “Anything can change at any given moment, so you have to be physically and mentally ready at all times.

“As a parent, you teach your son to have the attitude to play hard and practice hard,” she added. “And he's the type of player that does that. He'll be ready for whatever happens.”

There's nothing Austin Pettis can do to change the past. He's three years into his career, playing next season for that second contract.

And, teams simply don't value receivers the way they once did.

Only 25, Pettis is therefore attacking this offseason differently.

He is training this spring with more discretion than he has in the past. He scratched nearly two months of offseason workouts in the hope his body will remain relatively fresh through January. By doing so, he believes the 16-game regular season won't be as tortuous physically.

“I'm being a lot smarter in the way I'm working out,” said Pettis, adding that when he begins training in five to six weeks he'll be “ready to play year-round.”

The responsibilities of a professional athlete never take an offseason, though, and Pettis has been proactive in reaching out to communities in Orange County and St. Louis. He has participated in charity heart walks in St. Louis and mentored disadvantaged children with no outlet to pursue their dreams.

There's a special place in Pettis' heart for kids who don't have the resources to play sports. He said growing up he was just like them, and that without the help of those around him, he wouldn't be where he is today.

“I still don't really consider myself someone who should be looked up to just because I play football,” he said. “That people look up to me for that sole reason alone is a bonus.”

The Austin Pettis Foundation will host its third annual celebrity basketball game at Orange Lutheran High on Friday. A free speed and skills football camp will be held at the high school the following day. Among the group of NFL players scheduled to participate this weekend are receivers Brian Quick (Rams), Rod Streater (Raiders) and Brandon Gibson (Dolphins).

Pettis said he envisions his foundation growing exponentially over time. He wants “as much stuff to be free as possible” and would ultimately like his events to provide an avenue for rising entertainers and athletes to showcase their gifts to the masses.

“That there's an event with my name on it that opens doors for other people is satisfying enough for me,” Pettis said. “Just to have guys be a part of it and support the same cause I do is a good feeling.

“We've had great turnouts (at events) the past couple years,” he added, “and I see that continuing to grow because everyone shares the same vision.”

Orange Lutheran High alum Austin Pettis (7) is entering his fourth year in the National Football League. From Orange Lutheran, Pettis went to Boise State, where he set a number of records for a wide receiver. His foundation, The Austin Pettis Foundation, is in its third year of existence. FILE PHOTO
Anaheim-born Austin Pettis (2) was an All-Orange County first-team selection at Orange Lutheran, and a two-time, first-team All-WAC selection at Boise State. He set the college's single-season record with 14 TD catches as a junior, and backed it up with 10 as a senior. In his final NCAA game, the Las Vegas Bowl, Bowl, Pettis had 12 catches for 147 yards and a TD. ASSOCIATED PRESS
St. Louis Rams receiver Austin Pettis, left, shown here during a charity basketball game last year, is the namesake of a foundation that helps underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A pamphlet for the third annual Austin Pettis Celebrity Basketball Game on Friday, March 28. COURTESY OF THE AUSTIN PETTIS FOUNDATION
A pamphlet for the third annual Austin Pettis speed and skills football camp on Saturday, March 29. COURTESY OF THE AUSTIN PETTIS FOUNDATION

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